A novel and concise method for the direct synthesis of γ-nitro ketones and 1,3-dinitro compounds has been developed. It is the first time to report a domino reaction to synthesize aliphatic nitro compounds via domino Michael/retro-Claisen fragmentation reaction.

Ladder polymers and model compounds were obtained through intramolecular cyclization reaction in the presence of acid from the precursors. The planar polymers and model compounds show untypical UV and PL properties for a rigid, planar, one-dimensional π-system. The regioisomers in intramolecular cyclization reaction can be clearly identified from syn- and anti-structures.

Acceptor-donor-acceptor type compounds with 2-dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran, dicyanovinyl and 3-ethyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one as electron acceptors were designed and synthesized. Their physicochemical properties were thoroughly investigated.

The application of helical poly[(S)-3-vinyl-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl] (L*) in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes has been studied. The catalytic system employing 10 mol% of L* and 150 mol% of Ti(OiPr)4 was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes, giving up to 99% enantiomeric excess (ee) and up to 93% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol at 0°C. The chiral polymer can be easily recovered and reused without loss of catalytic activity as well as enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective synthesis of biologically active dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles has been achieved through a squaramide-catalysed Michael addition/Thorpe-Ziegler type cyclization cascade reaction between arylidenepyrazolones and malononitrile. A series of optically active dihydropyano[2,3-c]pyrazoles were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 79% ee) under mild reaction conditions.

A Grubbs-Hoveyda pre-catalyst having a trimeric resting state is presented. It was characterized by NMR, HRMS and elemental analysis. Catalytic study for ring-closing metathesis was evaluated. Highly activity for RCM of many substrates was showed.

A versatile and divergent two-step transformation of malimides to racemic tetramates and tetramic acids is described. The method consists of Grignard reagent addition with malimides, and concentrated HCl-promoted chemoselective transformations of the latter.

Thermal and pH dual responsive P(NIPAM-co-VI) copolymer was used as carriers to load Ag nanoparticles for the first time. The nanoparticles could be stably dispersed at all pH values, and were favorable to be used as a catalyst at a wide pH range, but more efficient at low pH.